"Back at the Gap" Major General Frank H. Smoker, Jr. (USAF, Retired) Events of 1991-92 helped shape Gap’s history 34th in a series The following varied events during 1991- 1992 contributed to the ongoing history of Fort Indiantown Gap. A ground breaking ceremony for a new 50,000 square foot cold and dry storage facility was held in Area 14 on November 5, 1991. It was hosted by Garrison Commander Colonel David G. Bell. The $3.6 million project would be built to replace the existing World War II era facility and provide cold storage for perishable items used in the Post’s dining halls, which serve about 130,000 soldiers each year. This facility would later provide subsistence support to 219 National Guard, Reserve and ROTC units throughout the state. Assisting Bell with the ground breaking was Lieutenant Colonel Richard Basye, Deputy District Engineer for the Baltimore District of the Army Corps of Engineers. Also on hand were Joseph McDonald, Jr., Chairman of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce Military Liaison Committee; David L. Griffin, Director of Logistics, Fort Meade, MD; Colonel James R. Buggy, Deputy Adjutant General-Army, Pennsylvania National Guard; and myself as the former commander of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Bell said, "This marks the start of a construction project that I think is needed as badly as anything else on this installation," as he prepared to turn the ceremonial first shovel full of dirt for the project. Bell said that the current facility is simply inadequate for today's needs. "It takes a huge effort every year to keep the old cold storage plant operating". A few days later, on November 9, 1991, there was standing room only at the ceremony for the presentation of Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medals by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Over 1,000 recipients, family and friends gathered in theater 3-109 to attend the ceremony which was presided over by Paul J. Moyer, Pennsylvania State Chairman, PHSA. The presentation of Congressional Commemorative Medal was honoring veterans of the attack on Pearl Harbor during this program commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of that attack. Certain civilian employees wounded or killed in the attack are also eligible. Colonel Bell gave the welcoming remarks and the presentation address was by Commander Rica A. Laraway, Commander, Navy Damage Control Training Center, Philadelphia. Bell contrasted America of the 1940's with America today. Bell wondered "if we could bring our fallen comrades back today , what would they think of our movies, our television shows, our gadgets, or even our lifestyles ? They would probably think we've gotten lazy and soft - but they would be wrong." Bell then noted that exactly one year ago, here at Fort Indiantown Gap, we were mobilizing reserve components which had been called up for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. At that time, we were preparing and training some of our children or grand children or nieces or nephews to go to war. Bell suspected they felt much the same as servicemen and women of 1941 - "they were not happy to be there, they were certainly not excited about leaving their families, but they were willing to go because they were called. They left to do their duty, just as they did following Pearl Harbor." In comparing public support for Desert Storm with that given in World War II, Bell stated he was glad that some things have not changed; when the chips are down, we still stand as one, and demonstrate a unity of spirit reminiscent of the 1940's. Laraway related the experience of her cousin who was at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, and badly burned from an explosion on the USS Arizona. Said Laraway: "For him that event is not 50 years old, that day is a recent as his last nightmare. For him, World War II began and ended on December 7th. For him, that Day of Infamy is not a speech, not a subheading in a history book, it is a personal and private memory of hell. Like all participants of all wars, he faces the day-to-day need to both remember and forget." Laraway went on to caution that Pearl Harbor is a symbol of the harm that can befall a nation when that nation is not prepared, and does not understand that what was happening in the world also affects us. She warned that we must participate in the events which shape our world, and never turn away from honorable involvement. After the speeches, the medal recipients' names were called. For over an hour, a brisk roll call of over 460 names echoed throughout the theater citing units which, for the most part, have since been forgotten. Although all veterans received applause, it seemed a more emotional recognition was given those identified with one ship - the USS Arizona. Medals were awarded in three categories: those whose lives were taken on December 7th; those who have passed away since then; and those who survived. The deceased were remembered by the sounding of "Taps" and rifle volleys from an honor guard. The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Inc. was started on December 7, 1958, by 11 men who met in Los Angeles to remember and honor friends who died in the December 7, 1941 attack, and to locate friends and unite them into an association with a common bond - “We were there!” The organization now consists of eight National Districts with each state having a State Chairman. States are further subdivided into Chapters with Pennsylvania having five. During the Pearl Harbor attack, 2,403 US personnel were killed; 1,104 on the Arizona alone. As a result of the heroic actions during this perilous time, 16 Medals of Honor were awarded. “Amazing" and "unbelievable” were words used to describe the crash of a U-8 aircraft from the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (EAATS) on June 2, 1992 and at the actions of those who took part in the rescue of the plane’s pilots. What stunned most people was the lack of fatalities. The two pilots were rescued by four National Guardsmen who were working near the scene. Another Guardsman whom the plane landed on escaped the wreckage with only second-degree burns. The most critically injured person was the pilot, Major Wayne Sparinga. He was taken to the hospital by helicopter where he was first listed in critical condition and later upgraded to serious condition. Sparinga suffered burns, facial lacerations and broken bones. Also taken to the hospital that night was Sparinga’s copilot, Chief Warrant Officer William Harrison, who was released from the hospital the next day, sore but not seriously injured. Fort Indiantown Gap is the headquarters for training of the All Army Sports teams. This activity brings top United States Army athletes to the Gap from military installations from all over the world to train for the all service sports competitions. During 1992, Company A, 365th Engineers (USAR) spent most of the year reconstructing Building 5-7 to improve the living quarters for these athletes. The building was designed as a co-ed barracks with the men on one floor and the women on the other. There were 13 single person rooms on each floor and also two rooms for the coaches. These improvements have increased the quality of life for these hard working athletes who participate in this All Army Sports program. This little known program is an important part of the military worth of the post, and also greatly contributes to the economic value of our military base to the local community. Published in the Wednesday 23 February 2005 edition of the Lebanon Daily News © 2005 Frank H. Smoker, Jr. All rights reserved. Reproduced by permission of the author. Go "Back at the Gap" Index